House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio (left) was joined by House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in answerering questions about the budget deal on Dec. 11.

Written by

E.J. DIONNE JR.

The Republican civil war, like all civil wars, is even messier than it looks. It's a battle between two conservative establishments complicated by philosophical struggles across many other fronts. Its resolution will determine whether we are a governable country.

Because the GOP fight is so important, it's a mistake to dismiss the passage of a real, honest-to-goodness budget through both houses of Congress as a minor event. The deal negotiated by Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Paul Ryan may be small, but it represents a major recalibration of forces inside the Republican Party.